As a romance writer, you might expect this particular question to elicit a suitably romantic response from me. And it does, but not in the way you might imagine. You see, it’s not the sight of a tall, dark and handsome stranger across a crowded room, or an intimate dinner for two over a candlelit table or a walk across a sandy beach at sunset with that special person, that sets my heart really racing. Don’t get me wrong, all those scenarios are very appealing, and do indeed make my heart go pitter patter, but none of them are quite so exciting as the prospect of a night at the theatre, more specifically to watch a musical show.

I was a teenager when I first went to the West End in London to see a show which happened to be A Chorus Line at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and from that very first moment I was hooked by the whole spectacle of the occasion. It instilled in me a love for musical theatre which has continued to this day. I can remember that sense of awe and wonder as the curtain raised and the buzz of anticipation that rippled around the audience. The song and dance routines were energising and exciting, the whole cast super talented and inspiring to watch, and within moments I was totally immersed in the story unfolding me before me. When I left the theatre that night I felt totally joyous and uplifted and walked out into the London streets with a huge grin upon my face.

Over the years I’ve been lucky enough to see many shows and some of my favourites include 42nd Street, Chicago, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Producers, Legally Blonde and so many more. My current obsession is Bat out of Hell which is showing at The Dominion Theatre in London, and anyone who knows me will know that I’ve been waxing lyrical about this show for months now. I’ve seen it five times so far and I’m already planning when I might be able to see it again! It’s a rock musical written by Jim Steinman and is based on the album of the same name. It’s a loose retelling of Peter Pan, with elements of Romeo and Juliet thrown in. It’s big and bold, has the most amazingly talented cast ever, special effects that will make you gasp and songs that will send goosebumps along the entire length of your body. At its heart though is a love story, and whether it’s a book or a film or a West End show, I’m a sucker for a good love story.

A good musical stage production is joyous, life-affirming and has the ability to transport you to another world, to offer an escape from reality for those two and a half magical hours and will have you leaving the theatre with a smile on your face and a heart-warming, feel-good factor tingling through your bones. For me, it’s the best feeling ever.

Honestly, if I wasn’t tone deaf and with two left feet, I might have been a musical star myself. Well, it doesn’t hurt to fantasise, does it?

The way you told about musical theatre is just captivating, it made me really want to watch one. Congratulation of the last book of at The Dog and Duck series. It must be as wonderful as the way you told story on this post. Thank you for the giveaway.